Kathryn Betts Adams1. 1. The Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences and University Memory and Aging Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, U.S.A. kathryn.adams@case.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Caring for spouses with dementia is a risk factor for increased levels of depression. Less is known about specific symptom differences between groups of caregivers and non-caregivers. This study characterizes differences on the CES-D depression screening scale between caregiving and non-caregiving spouses. METHODS: Data were obtained from 391 spouse caregivers of persons with dementia and 226 control subjects. Significant between-group differences on demographic variables determined covariates used in two multivariate ANCOVA analyses, on the set of four CES-D subscales and on the set of the 20 CES-D individual items. Significant multivariate analyses were followed by univariate tests between the two groups. RESULTS: Dementia caregiving spouses had significantly more depressive symptoms than non-caregiving married adults, after controlling for group differences. Proportion of variance in the set of CES-D subscales explained by caregiver group status was 13.4%. The greatest between-groups difference in univariate analysis was found in the Positive Affect subscale, and significant differences were found in 11 of the 20 CES-D items. Caregiver spouses experienced less hope for the future and less happiness and enjoyment in life than the non-caregiving spouses. They also reported greater degrees of sadness, being bothered, and loneliness than the non-caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: The differences, particularly caregivers' lack of positive affect, suggest the need for appropriate intervention approaches to assist spouse caregivers.
BACKGROUND: Caring for spouses with dementia is a risk factor for increased levels of depression. Less is known about specific symptom differences between groups of caregivers and non-caregivers. This study characterizes differences on the CES-D depression screening scale between caregiving and non-caregiving spouses. METHODS: Data were obtained from 391 spouse caregivers of persons with dementia and 226 control subjects. Significant between-group differences on demographic variables determined covariates used in two multivariate ANCOVA analyses, on the set of four CES-D subscales and on the set of the 20 CES-D individual items. Significant multivariate analyses were followed by univariate tests between the two groups. RESULTS:Dementia caregiving spouses had significantly more depressive symptoms than non-caregiving married adults, after controlling for group differences. Proportion of variance in the set of CES-D subscales explained by caregiver group status was 13.4%. The greatest between-groups difference in univariate analysis was found in the Positive Affect subscale, and significant differences were found in 11 of the 20 CES-D items. Caregiver spouses experienced less hope for the future and less happiness and enjoyment in life than the non-caregiving spouses. They also reported greater degrees of sadness, being bothered, and loneliness than the non-caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: The differences, particularly caregivers' lack of positive affect, suggest the need for appropriate intervention approaches to assist spouse caregivers.
Authors: Roland von Känel; Paul J Mills; Brent T Mausbach; Joel E Dimsdale; Thomas L Patterson; Michael G Ziegler; Sonia Ancoli-Israel; Matthew Allison; Elizabeth A Chattillion; Igor Grant Journal: Gerontology Date: 2011-11-29 Impact factor: 5.140
Authors: Roland von Känel; Brent T Mausbach; Sonia Ancoli-Israel; Paul J Mills; Joel E Dimsdale; Thomas L Patterson; Igor Grant Journal: Behav Sleep Med Date: 2013-10-24 Impact factor: 2.964
Authors: Roy Sriwattanakomen; Jesse McPherron; Jamie Chatman; Jennifer Q Morse; Lynn M Martire; Jordan F Karp; Patricia R Houck; Salem Bensasi; Jill Houle; Jacqueline A Stack; Mattie Woods; Bruce Block; Stephen B Thomas; Sandra Quinn; Charles F Reynolds Journal: Int Psychogeriatr Date: 2010-09-15 Impact factor: 3.878